Valve device for dental prosthesis

ABSTRACT

A valving device for use with dental prosthesis in which the device includes a sleeve of a length in excess of the width of the wall of a dental plate in which the same is to be imbedded or contained and a valve structure retained within the sleeve for subsequent removal and substitution therefor by a new valve structure.

i lib mted States Patent 1 [111 3,750,287 loom Aug. 7, 1973 VALVE DEVICE FOR DENTAL PROSTHESIS [76] Inventor: Jerome E. Bloom, 17] Atlantic Ave., Pmnary Exammernkoben Peshock Hempstead; NY. 11550 Att0rneyBauer & Amer, PC.

[22] Filed: Aug. 25, 1972 [2]] Appl. No: 283,844 ABSTRACT I A valving device for use with dental prosthesis in which [52] [1.8. CI. 32/3 the device includes a sleeve of a length in excess of the [51] Int. Cl. A6lc 13/24 width of the wall ofa dental plate in which the same is [58] Field of Search 32/3 to be imbedded or contained and a valve structure retained within the sleeve for subsequent removal and [56] References Cited substitution therefor by a new valve structure.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1909 Powers 32/3 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures VALVE DEVICE FOR DENTAL PROSTHESIS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a prosthetic valve device for use specifically in connection with dentures. In the application of dentures to the gum, mouth mucous, fluids and air entrained or trapped between the denture and the gum prevents the proper seating of the denture against the gum. No matter how well the denture is contoured, sculptured, or configured, it is almost impossible to provide a perfect fit between the denture and the gum. The presence of fluids, whether liquid or gas that may be present between the gum and the denture, functions as a lubricant which prevents the denture from assuming its proper seat in snug or tightfitting relationship with the gum.

To eliminate the presence of such fluids between the gum and the denture, the mounting of valves has been shown to be old in such patents as exemplified by Powers US. Pat. No. 912,026 and Winnberg US. Pat. No. 2,752,680. In prior art constructions, there are provided complex arrangements of detailed valving structures which require the use of a skilled mechanic to implant the valve in the denture. The arrangement of prior art structural details are such as to inhibit their use in dentures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an elimination of the aforementioned prior art problems. In the present invention, a sleeve of an elongated length, greater than that normally required for common usage, is provided. Adapted to be mounted within the sleeve is a valve housing containing a normally floating valve element. The valve housing, being a removable insert for the sleeve, has an inlet and an outlet with passage provided about the normally floating valve element to enable fluids such as liquids and gases to pass about the valve element between the denture and the gum outwardly therefrom to other parts of the mouth.

The above description, as well as further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental prosthesis and valving device constructed according to the teaching of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of FIG. 1 taken along lines 22.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a dental prosthesis generally identified by the numeral 10. The dental prosthesis is shown to comprise an upper and lower set of dentures l2 and 14, respectively. Each of the dentures are assumed to have been made in accordance with a mold or a cast taken of the wearers gums. However, because the production of saliva in the mouth is a continuous condition, it is necessary to eliminate the same from between the conforming surfaces of the dentures l2 and 14 and the gums to which they have been shaped.

Since each biting or chewing movement is analogous to a pumping action, it is most helpful to be able to utilize such pumping action to cause the saliva in the form of a liquid or entrapped air to be exuded outwardly from between the gums and the dentures. These fluids can be exuded from between the gums and the dentures by way of the present valving device. The present valving device is generally identified by the numeral 16 seen positioned in both dentures l2 and 14 of FIG. 1 and more fully illustrated in FIG. 2. The valving device 16 comprises a sleeve 18 that is generally of elongated length which is normally greater in extent than the width of the wall of the denture to which it is to be applied. The surrounding wall of the denture 12 has been identified by the numeral'20 while the like surrounding wall of the lower denture 14 is indicated by the numeral 22.

In FIG. 2, the cross-section of the wall 20 is shown in enlarged detail. There it will be noted that in its original condition, the sleeve 18 was much greater in length than the width of the wall 20. To more fully understand the invention, the inside surface of the wall 20 has been denominated by the numeral 24 while the outside surface has been identified by the numeral 26. The inside surface 24 is the wall nearest or closest to the gums while the outside surface 26 is positioned most remote from the gums. The same may be said to be true of the like identified surfaces 24 and 26 of the wall 22 of the lower dental plate 14.

Thus, in its initial unworked condition, the sleeve 18 is longer in length than the thickness of the walls 20 or 22 and, therefore, is universally adaptable for use by implantation or imbedment in all dental prosthesis. For convenience of positioning, the sleeve 18 is provided with a stepped shoulder 28 which is greater in diameter and size than the remainder of the body of the outside surface of the sleeve 18. The shoulder 28 functions to retain the sleeve in imbedded position within the walls 20 or 22 of the dentures and to form a continuing surface with the surface 24 of each such walls within which it is imbedded. It also aids the laboratory or dental technician in visually and immediately recognizing which end of the sleeve 18 is to be positioned in alignment with and in smooth continuation of the surface 24 of the denture.

The implantation of the sleeve 18 in the dental prosthesis, which includes either the upper or lower dentures l2 and 14, respectively, is accomplished simply by determining the appropriate location or locations within such dentures at which the valve device or devices 16 will perform their greatest desired functions. Hence, the positions of the devices 16 shown in FIG. 1 should not constitute a limitation upon the scope of the invention, but should be treated as one exemplary arrangement. The sleeve 18 is inserted in the denture and processed in place such that as the denture is permitted to form and harden, the sleeve 18 is molded directly into the desired position.

After the denture has hardened, the sleeve 18 is then reduced in length by removing the excess, such as is shown by the broken lines of FIG. 2. There it will be noted that the broken line portion identified by the numeral 30 of-the sleeve 18 is removed and then the remaining portion of the sleeve 18 that is previously bonded and adhered to the denture 12 or 14 may be contoured and shaped to conform to and as a smooth continuation of the outside surface 26. After the sleeve 18 is mounted within its respective dental plate 12 and- /or 14, it now enables the valve device 16 to be fully utilized.

A valve housing 32 having the same outer configuration as the interior shape of the sleeve 18 and is provided with an inlet opening 34 at one end thereof and an outlet opening 36 at the opposite end thereof. Referring to FIG. 2, the valve device 16 is shown complete, but with the valve housing 32 shown by broken lines in the sleeve 18 and also shown in cross-section in solid lines and withdrawn from the sleeve. The defining walls 38 of the inlet and outlet openings reduce the size of such openings such that the same are smaller than the internal dimension of the housing 32. A valve element 40 is contained within the valve housing 32 for free floating movement between the inlet opening 34 and the outlet 36. As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the valve element 40 is disk-shaped and is slightly smaller in diameter than the internal surface of the valve housing 32, thereby enabling it to float freely within such housing between the respective openings 34 and 36. Here it will be noted that although a diskshaped valve element 40 is illustrated, any other conveniently shaped valve element may be used.

Means 42 are provided within the valve housing 32 to limit the movement of the valve element 40 with respect to the outlet 36 so that the valve element 40 may never completely close the outlet 36. As a consequence, the valve is movable into an engaging position with the wall 38 surrounding the inlet 34 so as to permit it to completely close off such inlet while being unable to engage the wall 38 surrounding the outlet 36, hence, leaving such outlet in a constant open condition. Thus, it will be recognized that the valve is a one-way acting valve to permit the passage of fluids from the inlet opening 34, which faces the inside surface 24 of the dental plates, to the outside surface 26, yet prevents the reverse flow of fluid. Accordingly, the valve disk 40 permits the flow of fluids from between the gums and the dental plates 12 and 14, through their respective valve devices 16 when the pressure created therebetween is greater than that about the outer surfaces 26. However, when the pressure about the outer surfaces 26 is greater than between the gums and dental plates, the valve disk 40 seats against the inlet opening 34 and closes the same against reverse flow of fluid.

The valve structure including the valve housing 32 and element 40 is adapted to be inserted into and removed from the sleeve 18 when desired. In this connection, the outer surface of the valve housing 32 may have a knurling or other roughened structure while the inner surface of the sleeve 18 may be similarly constructed so as to provide for means on the sleeve and the housing that are cooperable to releasably retain the valve structure within the sleeve but to permit the same to be removed therefrom when so desired. To illustrate this, in FIG. 2 there is shown an alternative retaining means in the form of a ring-shaped detent or projection extending from the internal surrounding wall of the sleeve 18 inwardly toward the interior of such sleeve. Such projection 44 functions as a detent to engage the outer surface of the housing 32 to releasably retain the same within the sleeve 18. The specific details of such retaining means is not important. The fact that the same exists in the present structure is of importance inasmuch as it permits the insertion of the valve structure into the sleeve [8 whenever one is needed and enables the removal of such valve structure therefrom for substitution or replacement thereof by a new valve structure should the old one become inoperative or become clogged or closed by reason of the accumulation of tartar or other substances.

The sleeve 18 is further provided with a locating or positioning means 46 here shown in the form of an inwardly directed shoulder. The extent of the shoulder 46 is sufficient to provide a stop for the insertion of the valve structure into the sleeve 18 and to assure that when such valve structure is inserted into the sleeve, it will be properly positioned within the sleeve such that the axes of the sleeve and valve structure are aligned with each other. Otherwise, it might be possible to insert a replacement valve structure within the sleeve and if the same tilted or canted with respect to the sleeve axis, the same would not be fully operative for its desired purposes.

If upon occasion the valve 40 becomes blocked or closed by reason of accumulation of tartar or other substances, it is removable from the sleeve 18 simply by applying a pressure in a direction from the outside surface 26 inwardly. The pressure can be applied against the walls 38 of the housing 32 adjacent to the positioning and seating shoulder 46 to displace the valve housing 32 from its seat within the sleeve 18. The displacement force need be no more than that sufficient to overcome the retaining force applied by the detent holding means 44 or the knurled or other roughened surfaces that may be utilized to retain the valve housing in position within the sleeve. Once the housing 32 is removed from the sleeve 18 at the surface 24, a new valve housing may be substituted in the manner previously described.

Hence, the present invention is unique in that it provides an extremely simple and inexpensive arrangement of structural details that permits the implantation or imbedding of a sleeve within a dental plate or dental prosthesis. Once the sleeve is so positioned, the simple valve structure here disclosed is utilized with the sleeve such that the valve device 16 is always fully operative and in the event the valve structure 32 and 40 becomes inoperative for reasons previously described, the same may be removed and a new fully operative structure substituted for the same.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1 claim: I

1. In a dental prosthesis including a dental plate,

a sleeve of elongated length in the plate,

said sleeve extending from a position substantially flush with the inside surface of the plate wherein the same faces the gums of the wearer and the outside surface thereof,

a separable valve structure insertible into and removable from within said sleeve,

said valve structure including a housing having openings to provide communication between the inside and outside surfaces of the dental plate,

a one-way acting valve element in said housing to permit the passage of fluids from the inside to the outside surfaces of the plate and to prevent the reverse flow of fluid,

and means on said sleeve and housing cooperable to releasably retain said valve structure within said sleeve, said sleeve being molded integral with the dental plate and being of a length initially greater than the distance between the inner and outside surfaces of the dental plate to initially project beyond the outside surface and for reduction substantially in length and contour to the shape of the outside surface.

2. In a dental prosthesis as in claim 1,

locating means in said sleeve for selectively positioning said valve structure therein between the inside and outside surfaces of the dental plate.

3. In a dental prosthesis as in claim 2,

said valve element being movable in said housing to open said openings to enable the flow of fluid from the inside surface and from between the plate and the gums of the wearer and to close against one of said openings upon the occurrence of a lower pressure.

4. A structure for implantation in the wall of a dental prosthesis comprising a valve housing having inlet and outlet openings defined therein,

a valve element contained and being movable within said housing between positions to close said inlet opening upon the application of a negative force applied thereat with respect to the force applied at said outlet opening and to leave said outlet constantly open,

a sleeve for receiving said valve housingtherein,

means on said sleeve and housing to enable said housing to be retained inserted in said sleeve and for removal therefrom for substitution therefor by a new valve housing,.

said sleeve being of a length in excess of the thickness of the wall of the dental prosthesis in which the same is to be implanted for removal of said excess length therefrom to enable the same to be contoured to the shape of the wall.

5. A structure as in claim 4,

means in said sleeve to position said valve housing selectively within said sleeve between surfaces defining the wall of the dental prosthesis. 

1. In a dental prosthesis including a dental plate, a sleeve of elongated length in the plate, said sleeve extending from a position substantially flush with the inside surface of the plate wherein the same faces the gums of the wearer and the outside surface thereof, a separable valve structure insertible into and removable from within said sleeve, said valve structure including a housing having openings to provide communication between the inside and outside surfaces of the dental plate, a one-way acting valve element in said housing to permit the passage of fluids from the inside to the outside surfaces of the plate and to prevent the reverse flow of fluid, and means on said sleeve and housing cooperable to releasably retain said valve structure within said sleeve, said sleeve being molded integral with the dental plate and being of a length initially greater than the distance between the inner and outside surfaces of the dental plate to initially project beyond the outside surface and for reduction substantially in length and contour to the shape of the outside surface.
 2. In a dental prosthesis as in claim 1, locating means in said sleeve for selectively positioning said valve structure therein between the inside and outside surfaces of the dental plate.
 3. In a dental prosthesis as in claim 2, said valve element being movable in said housing to open said openings to enable the flow of fluid from the inside surface and from between the plate and the gums of the wearer and to close against one of said openings upon the occurrence of a lower pressure.
 4. A structure for implantation in the wall of a dental prosthesis comprising a valve housing having inlet and outlet openings defined therein, a valve element contained and being movable within said housing between positions to close said inlet opening upon the application of a negative force applied thereat with respect to the force applied at said outlet opening and to leave said outlet constantly open, a sleeve for receiving said valve housing therein, means on said sleeve and housing to enable said housing to be retained inserted in said sleeve and for removal therefrom for substitution therefor by a new valve housing, said sleeve being of a length in excess of the thickness of the wall of the dental prosthEsis in which the same is to be implanted for removal of said excess length therefrom to enable the same to be contoured to the shape of the wall.
 5. A structure as in claim 4, means in said sleeve to position said valve housing selectively within said sleeve between surfaces defining the wall of the dental prosthesis. 